Missouri could lose House seat in 2010 Census

U.S. Census Bureau is trying to increase minority representation.

By Emily Morris

Published May 7, 2009

The next census is likely to see changes in the composition of Missouri's congressional districts, as well as extensive measures taken to ensure greater representation of the public.

The census, required by the U.S. Constitution, is taken every 10 years. The next survey is scheduled for April 1, 2010, and could have an effect on the size and the number of Missouri's districts.

MU political science professor Jay Dow said districts should have equal populations. He said it is expected after the 2010 census, Missouri's districts will have to be redrawn to maintain this equality and the state is likely to lose a district.

"They'll have to redraw the congressional districts so Missouri will have eight," Dow said. "There's no scenario in which losing a representative is good for a state."

Dow said it is difficult to determine which districts will be affected most by the census, but many think it will be the 9th Congressional District, which includes Columbia.

He also said it is difficult for the census to take into account the entire population, which is especially true when dealing with the homeless population.

Missouri State Demographer Matt Hesser said the U.S. Census Bureau has a number of programs in place to locate people who are homeless. The bureau's goals include seeking out soup kitchens, temporary shelters and other local care providers who interact with the homeless on a regular basis. Hesser said the Bureau must encourage these providers to help with the census.

"We need to get all homeless people counted while ensuring that we don't count the same people two to three times," Hesser said.

John Chasnoff, program director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri, said under-representation of some minority groups in the census is a well-established trend. Chasnoff said one step to deal with the inadequate account for minorities is for the census to do more than just directly record information.

"Statistical analysis should be looked into as a part of the process," Chasnoff said.

Hesser said in addition to measures to count people who are homeless, there are procedures to help ensure more citizens from minority groups are included. He said there would be advertisements for the census in other languages, including on Spanish-language radio stations and in ethnic-based newspapers. In addition, forms in both English and Spanish will be mailed to select areas in Kansas City and are available upon request in other parts of the state.

Lizette Olmos, spokeswoman for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said Latino Americans tend to worry about the confidentiality of the census forms.

Olmos said there is fiscal as well as political importance for Latino Americans to turn in a census form.

"Every person that fills out the form gives $1,000 to their district," Olmos said. "High numbers of people turning in the form means more seats in Congress. It's really important for us to be counted."

To increase Latino participation in the census, LULAC has begun the "It is Time to Make Yourself Count" campaign, which is attempting to increase Latino-American inclusion in the political process.

In a news release, LULAC National President Rosa Rosales said the Census Bureau hasn't been able to keep track of the growing Latino community.

"In 2000, the Census undercounted Latinos by about one million Latinos," Rosales said. "We want to ensure that there will be an accurate census count."